The Robert Downey Jr. Appreciation Thread

[john_rambo]

I don't know if you guys have heard of this actor, he really has not been in a whole lot the last two years, but his name is Robert Downey Jr. and he is the MAN!!!!!! (I was being sarcastic before someone says "WHAT WHY WOULD WE NOT KNOW!") Anyway, here is a thread to appreciate the god among men known as Robert Downey Jr. Probably one of the better comeback stories in Hollywood the last few years. He could have easily crawled under a rock and stayed there after his addiction, but he came back and has kicked ass ever since (I refuse to remember that he is in the Shaggy Dog)! Anyway here are my favorite Roles of his

Harry Lockhart, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
http://www.thisisnotmy.co.uk/images/kiss-kiss-bang-bang-4_000.jpg
I really do not know why this movie was not a bigger hit, he and Kilmer had some of the best chemistry I have seen in years.

Kirk Lazarus, Tropic Thunder
http://usversusthem.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/kirk-lazarus.jpg
"All right fellas, we're gonna make camp, rest up. Y'all might be in for a treat. You know back before the war broke out I was a saucier in San Antone. I bet I could collar up some of them greens, yeah, some crawfish out the paddy, yo'! Ha! I'm makin' some crabapples for dessert now, yo! Hell yeah, ha! " Shit gets to me every time

Paul Avery, Zodiac
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/05/18/2_Zodiac_070516084258350_wideweb__300x375.jpg
I still am angry that he did not get a nod for this role, it was fantastic.

What are some of your guys' favorites?

[fooknasty]

He is the man. Loved him in Zodiac and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and I am really glad to see him become somewhat more mainstream (however, I hope he doesn't become to big and begins choosing shitty projects).

Iron Man was solid, and his turn as Kirk Lazarus is fucking awesome.

[Lucky Denver]

Seeing him back on the A-List makes me a very happy person. I love the guy.

I really respect his come back and the fact that he cleaned up his act.

But really, who wouldn't love to sit with this guy and hear some stories from his party days? I bet he has some really funny/crazy tales.

[JJFlamingo]

A Future Oscar Winner no doubt...:D

[sbunn10]

I thought he was perfect for Tony Stark and has been great in almost everything hes been in lately.




Hes the man.. plain and simple

[Monotreme]

I am seriously so happy for the guy that he's gotten back on top of his game after the whole addiciton thing and skyrocketed very quickly to the top of the A-list, making a name both as a popular comedic actor while retaining indie/art movie creds. His work in the past couple of years has been brilliant, and of course he's had some shining moments here and there before and during the whole drugs period. In addition to the ones mentioned, here are a few other memorable Downey Jr. performances:

http://media.movieweb.com/galleries/2462/1998/lo/27.jpg
James Barris in A Scanner Darkly

The film itself is brilliant, as are all the performances, but the leader of the pack is undoubtedly Robert Downey Jr, at his jumpiest and most neurotic EVER - and in animated form no less!

http://sexualityinart.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/5-robert-downey-wonder-boys.jpg
Terry Crabtree in Wonder Boys

Downey Jr. is underrated along with this entire film for that matter, which is truly an overlooked gem with one of the best performances EVER from Michael Douglas and an enjoyable story in general. And it's another neurotic, sidekick role for Downey but he does it brilliantly as always.

http://omarirdz.googlepages.com/cap028.jpg
Wayne Gale in Natural Born Killers

An insane Australian sensationalist journalist whose life gets a little TOO tangled up with that of serial killers Mickey and Mallory Knox.

And of course, one can't talk Downey Jr. without mentioning THE role that made him:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u96/mtca/robert-downey-jr01.jpg

One of the best personifications of a famous figure on film, EVER. If not for Al Pacino I'm SURE Downey Jr. should have gotten that Golden Statue...

Love the guy, love his work of the past two years, and can't wait to see him in the upcoming The Soloist, not to mention that I'm VERY intrigued to see what he'll do with Sherlock Holmes...!

[Le_Big_Mac]

He hasn't exactly proven himself to be versatile, but he's still one of the best actors working today. He gave great performances in A Scanner Darkly, Zodiac and Tropic Thunder (literally saving the movie from being a complete failure) and so far he's the only actor to play a superhero and give a performance that actually overshadows the villain and the action sequences. Here's hoping that one day he will win an Oscar.

[eljefe15]

He's a tremendously brilliant and versatile actor. And although he is loved and admired by many, he is still underrated in my book. He's way to awesome for Earth.

[Bourne101]

Downey Jr. is the man, and is one of best best actors working today. I am stoked for The Soloist and Sherlock Holmes.

[corran horn]

As far as comebacks go, Robert's has been nothing short of astonishing. Not all that long ago, he was in the depths of addiction and considered uninsurable. Now, he's had two impressive (and critically-lauded) hits with the potential of a third (The Soloist) that could finally net him an Academy Award (or at least a nomination).

What has made him so special for me is that he is one of the few actors who can be both funny and serious without missing a beat. He showed that in Zodiac, Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and many of his other efforts. Count me in as intrigued by his turn as Sherlock Holmes. I foresee him doing what Johnny Depp has done in combining mainstream roles (although hopefully his will be better than the last 2 Pirates) with edgy arthouse ones.

My only disappointment is that he isn't doing a commentary for Iron Man. He does commentaries in a way few actors can. Hopefully, he'll do one for Tropic Thunder and maybe even The Soloist.

Favorite roles:

Iron Man
Tropic Thunder
Zodiac (should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

[bigred760]

I don't know about him being a "god among men," but he's a great actor and his comeback is beyond incredible and is probably film-worthy in its own right. I've never been his biggest fan, but he's delivered two of the most entertaining performances this year alone (that would be Iron Man and his bit in Tropic Thunder).

Can't wait to see him play Sherlock Holmes.

[AshleysDad]

They all have ups and downs. Some have higher ups and some have lower lows. Tom Cruise is down and RDJ is way up right now. 5 years ago it was the opposite.

[ilovemovies]

His two best performances and his two best movies are Heart & Souls and Wonder Boys.

Although he was nearly as wonderful in earlier this year's underseen gem Charlie Bartlett. Fantastic in Chaplin and The Singing Detective (though the movie itself was so-so IMO), Zodiac, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Shaggy Dog (fun performance IMO), Iron Man, Only You and the TV show Ally McBeal.

Another favorite of mine that he did was 1999's incredibly underrated gem of a thriller called In Dreams.

[Et3rnal L1ght]

He's an excellent actor but hasn't been given many lead roles until this year. I can't wait to see his performance as Sherlock Holmes in the movie with the same name which will be released in 2010 :)